New buildings for Swatch and Omega | SHIGERU BAN >> Winning competition entry

After winning the competition for “New Headquarters for Swatch and New Production Buildings for Omega” in Biel (Switzerland), Shigeru Ban’s proposal is now under construction.

image © shigeru ban_Interior of the Swatch Headquarter

image © shigeru ban_A flowing timber grid-shell roof that unites two structures image © shigeru ban

Images by © shigeru ban

The site is a developing area, exposed to several revitalization interventions; the proposal aims to mantain the old Omega buildings and integrate them in the new project. This “conservative” solution helps the project to follow its double direction: attention to existing landscape and to brand identity.

image © swatch group_renderings show the green public spaces and plazas

image © swatch group_the model shows the semi circular swatch headquarters as it connects with the omega central building and the existing industrial campus

image © swatch group_the lattice-like semicircle overlaps the omega central building and museum at the rooftop oval auditorium

image © swatch group_elevation rendering of the sinuous timber frame of the swatch headquarters

Images by © swatch group

The central building shows a light structure and elevates on pillars; it acts like a connective space, hosting the overlapping functional areas between the two companies and serving also as an Omega and Swatch museum.

image © blaser architekten_curved timber framing holds up a membrane of translucent material and pattern of wooden ‘swatch’ crosses

image © blaser architekten_headquarters for swatch + production buildings for omega

image © blaser architekten_model view of the central building shows a light structure, elevated on pillars and acting as a connective area between both corporate areas

image © blaser architekten_the curved timber framing of swatch shell provides a gentle shade over hayek plaza between the central building and the swatch headquarters

image © blaser architekten_The decorative wooden cross beams

image © blaser architekten_the omega central building sports a solar cell-topped sloped roof, hearkening to the existing protected industrial buildings

Both Omega’s New Production Building and Swatch Headquarters will be timber-framed, but while the former is simple and linear, the latter is curved and semi-circular. This sinuous construction allowes circulation from one plaza to the other and clearly expresses its structure as much as the brand identity: wooden “swatch” crossing points alternate with a translucent envelope.